Image of the North Pole With the Moon at its Closest Point

Outline:
An image circulating via email and online is claimed to be a photograph of the North Pole that captures the moon at its closest point and shows the sun below the moon.

Status:
The picture it is a work of art, not a photograph. The image is the work of artist Inga Nielsen.

Example:

This is the sunset at the North Pole with the moon at its closest point last week.

A scene you will probably never get to see in person, so take a moment and enjoy natures work at the North Pole.

And, you also see the sun below the moon.

An amazing photo and not one easily duplicated. You may want To pass it on to others so they can enjoy it.

The Chinese have a saying that goes something like this:

‘When someone shares with you something of value, you have an obligation to share it with others!’

Detailed Analysis:
This beautiful image circulates via email and is often posted to online forums and blogs. The image, along with various descriptions, has been circulating since 2006. Although it is certainly a breathtaking picture it is a work of art, not a photograph.

The image is in fact a work by artist Inga Nielsen. The image, called “Hideaway” can be viewed on the artist’s website.

The image was created using a scenery generator program called Terragen™

“Hideaway” was also featured as the NASA’S Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD) for the 20th June 2006. Soon after the first version of message began circulating, Inga Nielsen published a news update about how the artwork gained its urban legend status. According to the artist, someone “cut out my name, called the image “Sunset at the north pole” and told everyone it was a photograph.”

An earlier example:

A scene you will probably never get to see, so take a moment and enjoy God at work at the North Pole.

This is the sunset at the North Pole with the moon at its closest point. And you also see the sun below the moon.